As part of its aggressive geopolitical chess, the People’s Republic of China, also known as Communist China for its totalitarian regime, has managed to gradually turn in its favor, through gifts, offers and also veiled pressure, several Latin American states that previously supported democracy. from Taiwan. But not only them, countries in Europe, Africa, Asia and Oceania have established relations with Continental China, which in a period of 40 years has consolidated itself as an economic and military power, as well as a population bomb, with 1.4 billion inhabitants.
The small but powerful Republic of China, based on the island of Formosa without official recognition from its older sister, has also achieved remarkable economic, political and technological development. With its 23 million inhabitants, it continues to be the thorn in the side of the neighboring power, especially for having an impressive productive expansion under a democratic regime.
It is appropriate to remember that the declaration of Taiwan’s independence arose from the arrival on the island of General Chiang Kai-shek, in 1949, after being defeated in the civil war by the communist Mao Zedong. Chinese nationalist dissidents settled on the 35,000 square kilometer island — roughly the size of Petén — and began seeking diplomatic recognition from various democratic countries around the world. With Guatemala, embassies were established in 1960. However, this recognition has been reduced: of 71 countries that had official relations with Taiwan in 1970, today it only has 13 allies left, of which seven are in Latin America, four in Oceania, one in Africa and one in Europe—the Holy See.
Central America was a key stronghold for the Taiwanese, but one by one they have turned their backs on it. The first was Costa Rica, in 2007; then El Salvador, in 2018; Nicaragua, in 2021; and Honduras, on March 23. Each presented their sovereign argument, but in many cases the change occurred despite having received huge financial aid from Taiwan but also due to the expectation of supposed economic incentives from Mainland China. In some there were public mega-projects involved and offers of a larger market for exports, something that has not necessarily happened.
Their products arrive in Guatemala, which does not have diplomatic relations with said power. Thus, it is not so much commercial interest that moves the Asian giant, but geopolitical influence over an area that was previously dominated by the United States. This has emboldened certain despotic rulers like the Nicaraguan dictator Daniel Ortega. But it is not the only one, in Africa and Asia Chinese interests have expanded, but unlike the US or the European Union, Beijing is not interested in democratic guarantees or the rule of law.
The visit to Guatemala by the President of Taiwan, Cheng Shubian, is a courageous and significant gesture to try to maintain the support of a friendly country that she has generously helped. It should be said that she built the important route from Guatemala to El Rancho or the recently inaugurated building of the Chimaltenango Hospital. In any case, the support for Chinese Taipei is more than an economic convenience, it is a rejection of totalitarianism. Taiwan is, 74 years after it emerged, a symbol of progress, independence and democratic values. Her people have the right to live in freedom.